Utilizing a Living Mulch System for Specialty Cut Flower Production - Pasture Regeneration

Final Report for FNE95-110

Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 1995: $1,605.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1995
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $1,600.00
Region: Northeast
State: West Virginia
Project Leader:
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Project Information

Summary:

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE95-110.

Despite more intensive initial weeding than expected, the living mulch system of White Dutch Clover complemented my overall farm plan quite well. I harvested flowers 15 days ahead of schedule and some varieties through the dry weather. I contributed this to the clovers' ability of nitrogen fixation and moisture retaining capacity of the mulch it made. I was able to rotate the flower field back into a productive pasture without further disturbing the soil.

A pleasing discovery was that corrugated cardboard works very well as a biodegradable mulch. It is readily available to me at no cost, being a waste product from brooding turkeys. It was difficult to put down, but from past experience using plastic mulch, it's no harder. I will continue to use it in the future.

A not so pleasing outcome of the season was the significant deer damage compared to years past. A thought is that the deer were initially attracted to the tender clover in between the rows of flowers and later found pumpkins and flowers to be more palatable.

Cooperators

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  • Wayne Richmond

Research

Participation Summary
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.